 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: donald
Date: 2003-04-19 08:58
Olivia Clarinet Resources kindly sent me four of these Viotto mouthpieces to try out- i have 2 G1-2s and two of the G0 facings. Both facings are similar to mouthpieces i already use, and the mouthpieces appear to be on what looks like a Zinner E type blank.
After both play testing and measuring all the mouthpieces, i have come to the conclusion that the Viotto mouthpieces have variations from mouthpiece to mouthpiece, as all brands would appear to have, but there seems to be a consitent "playability factor". While FOUR is a very small sample, and all four mouthpieces seemed to require subtle variations in reed selection, they all responded remarkably well to the demands of performance.
They were "tested" during intensive (long, heated and stressful) rehearsals for the Kegelstatt Trio and Schumann Maerchenerzahlungen pieces. I was very impressed with the dynamic range i could achieve (my current set up has not been dealing well with the higher end of the dynamic range), and the ease of articulation at lower dynamic levels.
Initially i found the timbre to be a little "fuzzy", a very rich sound that was not quite as focussed and clear as i aim for. After a short period of time this impression was forgotten as i adjusted (the Larry Combs "you'll always sound like yourself" factor?). The "instant/reliable playability" factor seemed to me to be a big bonus.
I know that for some people a "custom mouthpiece" is not possible for geographic reasons, and that trying out mouthpieces "long distance" via mail is the only way for them. In that instance i could recomend trying the Viotto Mouthpieces. I've never heard them mentioned here, but surely you must have tried them out- what did you think?
donald
(and no, i'm not getting paid to write this!
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-04-19 09:28
I've been playing my Viotto B3 for about 2 years now. Haven't found anything else that comes close to it. It allows me to do everything I need to. I understand exactly what you are getting at about the initial lack of focus etc etc. That can be dealt with though. I tried close to 10 before selecting mine. I also have a spare but it is sooooooo different. I don';t actually like the spare so I'm hoping to get a hold of some more Viotto's to find a better spare.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-04-21 07:08
I've got a Viotto mouthpiece, but the facin doesn't suit me any more. I'm about ot order some of his other types.
Viotto takes Zinner blanks, and uses a special laser machine to adjust the facing to within 100th of a mm. He does no work in the chamber or other parts of the mouthpiece. Perhaps this accounts for the differences in measurements that you found? In any case, at least his mouthpieces are perfectly symmetrical, and I think this is what maes them so easy to blow.
His mouthpieces are quite popular in Europe, especially amongst German system players.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-05-09 08:27
donald-
I just got some Viotto mouthpieces to try out. I got 3 B3 mouthpieces, 1 AE+4, and 1 G1+2. These mouthpieces are great! The B3s are very dark, while the other two are brighter with more "ping" in the sound. :-)
I was just wondering which strength reed you use on your G1-2?
Thanks
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-05-09 11:45
These are pretty nice pieces and in my testing of them found very little to complain about.
The B3 was the ones I was thinking of buying and realized my mouthpiece collection is a little too vast to add this to.
I have happily reccommended these to freinds who are willing to pay alot for a piece.
David Dow
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